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I was due to stay in the Black Isle for a week and the forecast was glorious. From Fortrose (apologies for the number of f's used in this post - I have omitted a few from the mauvais pas later on), I drove to the car park, not far from Loch a Bhraoin. I was there for 0730 and although it was a hot one, there was a welcome breeze. The view over to A'Chailleach and Sgurr Breac was clear, as was my intended route up the Toman Coinich 'nose'.
- The day ahead
- Up the Drum Reidh
I padded down to the loch and made my way over the bridge before starting the ascent up Toman Coinich. It was quite steep but this made for rapid ascent and the views just got better and better. The route up is easy enough and you can walk up in between any crags. It wasnae long before I was up on the Drum Reidh plateau and the two Munro's for the day were clear. However, much to my chagrin, so was An Teallach - it looked absolutely brilliant - I was beginning to wish I had set out for that hill instead.
- The majestic An Teallach
No matter, after my swig-stop, I headed up towards the summit of Toman Coinich - be careful here - a path starts taking you away from the highest point and down towards the lochan below A'Chailleach.
- A'Chailleach
I had to re-ascend slightly and once at the cairn, I chose Sgurr Breac to bag first.
- Sgurr Breac
The path up is defined and the going fairly easy. Once on to the summit, there are ample 'seats' to sit and admire the view, most notably over to the impressive Sgurr nan Clach Geala and an interesting gouge out of its side.
- Sgurr nan Clach Geala
I didn't linger too long as I wanted to get over to A'Chailleach - the old lady - the Juventus of hills, if you will. From re-traced steps up to Toman Coinich, it was good footing down to the bealach before the ascent up to my 2nd objective. The path takes you nicely beside some vertical drops down towards the lochan but nothing too exposed. Belly rumbling, I reached the 2nd summit of the day in 3 hours and a wee bit of lunch - nothing fancy for today's lunch as date at Anderson's was on the cards.
- A'Chailleach looking over to An Teallach - damn!
I checked the map and decided to head directly down to Loch a Bhraoin, which is fairly unremitting but gives a quick descent. Because conditions were dry, this posed no problems but not sure about a descent in wet conditions. Anyhoo, before long I was back at the head of Loch a Bhraoin and relaxing from a great day on the hill. Just the small agricultrural matter of getting past some cows and a little bit of boggy ground. One small step for Kev and one giant leap for.....splosh!!!!!
The ground was bog and I disappeared up to my waist in some foul, disgusting and unpalatable shecht. I managed to pull myself out, spitting crap out of my mouth and cursing as I went. I was covered in plabber and the cows watched me in the same way as I had laughed at them cooling off in the loch.
- Happy as a cow in water....
They were almost smiling as I submerged myself in the Loch to remove as much cowcrap/bog as possible. I got most of it off me but there was some orange tint to my skin - I had been cow-tangoed. The 3 mile run back to the car allowed me to dry off but it was a sour end to a sweet day. 7 days on and my public health brain has been in over-drive - Crypto, E. coli, Giardia??? So far so good but I'll never forget the Fannaich-faecal feast before Fortrose!